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ROE Case Study:Defending Against Suicide Attacks

United KingdomSri Lanka

Pakistan

Afghanistan

Yemen

Iraq

United States

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Introduction

• Rules of Engagement (ROE) critical to effective defense

• Must comply with the law relevant in:– internal disturbances & tensions– internal armed conflict– international armed conflict

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Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations

• Civilian leadership approval of ROE– weigh protection of civilians

& soldiers against probability of incidental injury and collateral damage

• Military commanders use ROE to give guidance on force to be used

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• ROE define:– When, where, how

much force– Who is authorized to

decide– to accomplish mission,

defend self & others– & minimize “friendly-

fire”

Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations

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• ROE must be constantly reviewed during operations

Strategic, Operational, Tactical Considerations

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Unit Self-Defense ROE

• Basis: UN Charter Article 51

• Requirements: Necessity & Proportionality

• Necessity: hostile act but also hostile intent ?

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• Proportionate Force– U.S. definition – “shoot-to-wound” or “shoot-to-stop”?

Unit Self-Defense ROE

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• U.S. Self-Defense ROE:– When possible, warn & give opportunity to

withdraw– attack when only prudent means available– pursue only if hostile act or hostile intent

continues

• Tactics, Techniques, & Procedures

Unit Self-Defense ROE

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ROE: Defending Against Suicide Attacks on Land

• Checkpoint or Roadblock

• Deliberate or Hasty• Factors:

– Mission– Enemy– Terrain– Troops Available– Time– Civilians Army FM3-21.9

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• Warn, fire upon if necessary

• When possible use escalating measures

• Lethal force as last resort

ROE: Defending Against Suicide Attacks on Land

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Attacks on Land:Tactics, Techniques, Procedures

• Position• Fields of fire• Create barriers• Post signs• Shout warnings• Combat vehicles• Safe distance

Army FM3-21.9

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• Detection dogs

• Heavy clothing

• Hands in pockets

• Low-riding vehicle

• Order people out

• Public awareness

Attacks on Land:Tactics, Techniques, Procedures

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Incident at Roadblock 541:Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005

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Airport

Roadblock 541

Mansour District

Terrain

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Roadblock 541

Airport R

oad

“Ro

ute V

erno

n”

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Airport Road

Route V

ernon overpass

Alert line

Warning line

•Blocking vehicle to alert line =118m

•Blocking vehicle to warning line = 83 m

•Length of ramp = 223m

N

Not to scale

Roadblock 541

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Incident at Roadblock 541:Baghdad Airport Road, March, 2005

Giuliana Sgrena Nicola Calipari

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Airport Road

Route V

ernon overpassAlert line

Warning line

•Blocking vehicle to alert line =118m

•Blocking vehicle to warning line = 83 m

•Blocking vehicle to disabled vehicle stop point = 38m

•  Disabled vehicle stop point to warning line = 45m

•Length of ramp = 223m

Roadblock 541

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ROE for Convoy & PatrolAgainst Suicide Attacks

• Establish minimum safe distance

• Warn, fire upon if necessary

• When possible, use escalating measures

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ROE Against Suicide Boat Attack

• Set minimum safe distances

• Escalated warnings

• Open fire if necessary

• Tactics: – In port– Weapons– Foreign port– Picket boats

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ROE Against Suicide Planes

• Warn, fire upon if necessary

• Tactics:– Air defense

identification zones– No-fly zones– Integrate radar– Combat air patrol,

anti-aircraft units– Evacuate civilians

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• Who decides to shoot?

• How much force?

• Use of warnings?

• Balance effective use of force against risk of mistake

Common Issues

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Training Considerations

• General Training

• Scenario Briefings

• Situational Exercises

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Conclusion

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